Multiple-chute coal and slate separator



\ Sepa. w25' MULTIPLE cHUTEboAL AND SLATE SEP-ARMOR c, H. HUTQHRS@ N AFiled Aug. 19. 1924 Illill [bve/far if. jgZc/ialjon Sept. @s i925 f Lmplvc C. H. HUT :HlSON MULTIPLE CHUTE oAL AND sLATE SEPARATOH Filed AuE. 19

Slo/7 c:g H. HUrCl-HSON MULTIPLE H'UTE COAL -AND ASLATE sEPARAToa Sept 8. 19.25.

4 Shets-Sheei .Filed Aug. 19. '1924 0f man Sept. 8, 1925. 1 y 1,553,166

. 'Cf H. HUTCHISON MULTIPLE CHUTE COAL AND SLTE SEPARATORl Filed A1122. 19.. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 to'prevent clogging of the slate during its To all whom t may concern:

ldatented Sept. .8, I l s UNITED- sTATES CHARLES H.' nUacHIsoN, oF'KNoX'vILLE, TnNnnssnE.

PATENT OFFICE. f,

MULTIPLETCHUTE' eoiir,` AND sLA'rn sErARAToR.-

Application iled August 19, 1924., Serial No.v 732,997.

Be it known that CHARLES H. HUTCHI- soN, a citizen of the United States of Amer-A ica, residing at Knoxville, in the county of Knox and State of Tennessee, has invented new and useful Improvements in -Multiple- Chute Coal and Slate Separatore, of whichA l the following is a specification.

A The present invention has for its purpose to provide, in a multiple chute coal and slate separator, a construction and arrangement of a plurality of chutes in parallelism i i and superimposed, certain'of which are re ciprocable relative to others for grading the coal into several sizes. 4 s Another purpose is to provide as thelcoal is graded in toseveral sizes;l It is Well known that in some mines the coal contains larger slate than is foundv in coal. of other mines, therefore the present separator includes as .still another purpose 4means for accommodating slate of .various sizes during its separation from thecoal. l A further purpose is the provision of means .for preventing clogging of the slate 4during its process of yseparating from the coal.

' A still further purpose-is to provide, in

a separator of this character, a chute which `hasjaii outlet at one end forthe coal and outlets at'the side for the slate, the reciprocabl'e movement of the chute causing the coal proper to discharge from the outlet at one end, the` chute having a shell yback or bottom, `that is, a vbottom which diverges toward the slate outlets to cause a separation of the slate 'from the coal proper dur- `ing the 'reciprocable movements of the chute,.there being means at the side outlets y discharge.

It is also a purpose of the inventionxto provide means, such as aprons, on the sides of the chutes .for receiving the slate and discharging it upon a conveyer which conveys the' slate from al1 of the separators to a unitary location.

lt is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no Way limitative and that, while still keeping within the scopeI -vof the invention, any desired modi'cations of detail and desired proportions may v`loe 'made in the apparatus according to the circumstances, s

The invention comprises further features means pri `marily for causing a separation of the slate and combinations of parts to be hereinafter' set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed. I. f

' In the drawings: Y.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the improved multiple chute coal and slate sepa'rator` constructed inaccordar'ice .with the invention. l

Figure 2 is a sectional view on`line-2.#2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is 'a sectional view on line 3 3 of Figure 1, showing the means for reciprocating the chutes/andl for operating thel means for preventing clogging ofthe slate.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view through one of the units of the multiple chute-separator, showing'one chute su-fv perimposed above the other and' more clearlyshowing the adjustable means for The coal in the chute 1 delivers therefrom into the chute 2, so that lumps of coal from two to four inches may pass through the openings 5 which are formed in the bottom of the chute 2, there being a. discharge spout 6 for thepassage of the coal.

The coal from two inches and smaller and from two to four inches, which discharges from the spouts 4 and 6, delivers into the chutes and 8 While 4coal 'and slate from four inches up 'discharge from the end 9 of the chute 2 into a chute 10.

The chutes'l and 2 are suspendedfupon oscillatory hangers 11 and 12-which-are respectively vreinforcedloy the'fbracesyl and- 14. The hangers are fulcrumed upon suit `able shafts 15 adapted to `be mounted in suitable bearings (not shown) 'above the separator. Suitable shaftsA 16 and 17 are mounted in bearings ,of the chutes l and 2 and in bearings of thelowerends of the hangers 11 and 12. -Extending transversely 4below and at one end of the chute v1 is a shaft 18 driven by ythe belt 19 and pulley 20, and operating upon the shaft areqeccentrics 21 and 22 which operatively connect with the chutes land 2 by means of the pitmen 23 and 24 for the purpose of *imparting yreciprocable movements to the chutes. The chutesl and 2, due to their operative'connections with the shaft 18, re-

'ciprocate in Opposite directions and it will be noted that thesel chutes at all times re- 27 are provided. The unit separator 25 comprises the upper and lower chutes28 and 29,

1 the unit separator 26 comprises 'the upper has and lower chutes 30 and 31, while the unit separator 27 consists ofthe upper and lower chutes 32 and 33. The chutes 7, 8 and 10 respectivelydnclude sizing screens 34, and

36 which extend at anglesto the chutesy7, 8 and 10 which have solid bottoms. The

sizing screens have spaced parallel rods 37,

y than the slots of the chute 29, the slots 66 it being obvious that theirods 'offthe size ing screen 34 are spaced closer together than the rods ofthe sizing screen 35 which are, in turn, closer together than the rods of the sizing screen 36 which permits lcoal of different sizes to be obtained. In

fact, coal from one inch and belowA passes through the sizing screen 34 and enters the chute 28, and coal from two to three inches passes` through the sizing screen 35 and is receivedin the chute 30, while coal from three to six inches passes through sizing screen'36 and is received in the chute 32.

The chutes 28, 30 and 32 have discharge spouts 38, 39and 40 which convey coal to ythe chutes 29, 31 and In fact, coal from one to two inches passes over the sizing screen 3l and then into the chute29 by way of the discharge spout 38,'the coal from three to four inches passes over the sizing screen 35 and int-o thel discharge spout 39 which delivers the coal from three to four inches into thechute 3.1, while coal fionrsix inches up passes over the bars ofthe sizing screen 36 and into thel chute 33 by Way of the spout 40. It will be noted that in separating and sizing the coal in this manner, it is possible to eliminate practically all ofthe slate from the rcoal. The sizing screens 34, 35 and 36 are supported"respectively over the chutes 28, 30 and 32 due to their sides being rigidly fastened to the sides of said chutes 28,' 30 and 32.v f A Extending at right angles to the chutes 28, 30 and 32 at certain of their corresponding ends and driven-by a belt 41 and a pulley 42 is a shaft 43.- Rotatable .with the shaft are eccentrics 44, 45` and 46 respec tively operatively connected by means of the pitmen 47, 48 and 49 and the shafts 50 to the chutes'33, 31 and 29 which `are suspended upon hangers 51 which are similar to the hangers 11 and 12. Also mounted upon and operable' with the shaft 43 are eccentrics 52, 53 and54 which are also, in turn, operatively connected to tlie chutes 32, 30 .and28 by means of the 'pitmen 55, 564 and l57 and the shafts 58. The chutes 28, 30 and 32 are suspended on hangers 59 which are similar to the hangersll, 12 and 51.

It will be noted that the construction and arrangement of the eccentrics on' the shaft 43A are such as to impart opposite recipro cable' movements to the chutes 28, 29, 30,v 3l, 32 and 33. In this way, the chutes receive opposite shaking movemtmtsI which causev the 'coal to discharge from the discharge ends 6o, 6,1, 62,63, 64 and 65. t

The sides of the'chutes 28 to 33, inclusive, have elongated slots 66'which are restricted by the adjustable slides o'r closures 67 which are mounted for adjustment due totheir slot and bolt vconnections 68 with the Isides of the respective chutes 28 to 33, inclusive. i Thev slots 66 of the chute 28 are restricted less passing through the slots 66 of the chute. 28 kWhile the slots 66 of the chute 31 are 're stricted less Uthan the slots of the chute 3() but permit slate of larger size than may pass through the slots 66 of the chute 29. The slots 66 of the chute 32 are restricted less than the slots 66 "of the chute 33 and permit larger slate particles to pass than may pass through the slots 66 of the chute 30, while the slots 66 of the chute 33 permit the passage of slate larger than is capable-of passing through the slots of the chute 31.

In order to direct the slate par cles of the coal toward the slots of the respective chutes 28 to 33.', said chutes are provided with what are known as shell backs or bottoms 69. In l other words, the bottoms ofthe chutes 28 to 33, inclusive, for the greater part of their sist of` diverging portions 70 which incline the slate toward and through the slots.

-length are raised centrally, therefore con-v toward the slotsin the sides of the chutes which direct Ithe relatively at portions of The opposite sides of the chutes 28 to inclusive,- have laterally extending vaprons 71, thoseof the upper chutes 28, v30 and 32 being substantiallydirectly over those ofA the lower chutes'29, 31rand 33.. However, the upper aprons are relatively shorter than the lower aprons so that, during the recip'- roca-ble movements of the upper-chutes, the v slate passes from-the upper aprons to the'1 the slate may be conveyed to a unitary dump. y .A

The vvconveyer belt 72 operates through a ,trough 73 which prevents accidental loss of 'when loading mine run coal. However, or-

the slate during its passage to the dump. p Corresponding end portions-ofthe chut-es 29, 31 and 33 have trap doors 7 4 to be used dinarily the coal discharges from-the -ends 61, 63 and'a `The opposite sides of the upper and lower -chutes of each unit separator have parallel guide rods^751and 76 iXedly mounted inv the supporting anges 77 and mounted to reciprocate upon the guide rods 75 and 76 are perpendicular parallel bars 78 lwhich are relatively reinforced by the braces 79.

The lower endsv of the bars 78 terminate in dogs 8O` which partly enter the slots 66- and constitute .means to prevent clogging of the slate in the. slots.` Rising from the sides`of the lower chutes 29, 31 andl 33 .of

each of the units are vupstanding yarms 81 :which are connected by the links 82 to the' dog carrying bars 78 of the chutes 28,: 30 y 'and' 32 so that when the lowerchutes move nected'by the links 84 to -the dog carrying bars 78 of the lower chutes 29, 31 and 33'so that, when the upper chutes '28, 30 and 32 move in one direction, the dog carrying bars of the lower ,chutes 29, 31 Y'and 33 correspondingly move, while the chutes 29, 31 and 33 move inthe opposite direction.

In this manner, the slate, as ittis passing through the slots in the sides ofthe chutes, is kept agitated, thereby preventing clogging and in many instances causing theslate to break so as to insure prevention of clogging and the removal of practically all the slate from the coal. In some localities, the coal lumps are of various sizes and shapes;

f som'e lumps-are cubical, some'small and some large, and at times there is considerable slate and flat pieces'of coal, some small and some large. This mixture is deposited upon the coal chutes 1 and 2. The relatively small particles,'f1at or cubical or otherwise shaped, pass through the discharge openings Y 3 and then through the spout 4 and fall 'upon thechntes 7. The, next larger pieces' of coal, either cubical or flat-or otherwise shaped, pass through the'larger openings 5 ofthe chute 2 and then through the spout 6 and deposit on the chute 8. The relatively 4large pieces of coal of cubical contour and the large pieces of slate or-large flat pieces of coal discharge from the end of the chute These three differentv grades or fractures of coal are shaken in the chute.2 andl then traverse t-he inclined bars or rods 37 of the chutes 7, 8 and 9, the cubical lumps depositing through-the sponts 38,39 and 40, the relatively flat particles pass between the bars' or rods37 and deposit upon thedivergingshell backs or bottoms .69 of the chutes 28, 30 and32 and feed laterally onto the' upper aprons 71'. The

particles of coal lthat pass through the spouts 38, 39 and 40 ,deposit in the lower chutes 29, 31 and 33 where they are agitated until. they feed over the shell backs or bottoms 69 ofthe lower chutes 29, 31 and 33, some ofthe particles feeding laterally upon the lower aprons 71. that pass over the shell backs or bottoms 69 of the upper chutes 28, 30 and 32 toward the `open ends, pass out through the discharge ends 60, 62 and 64. The particles of 'coalvthat pass Vover the shell backs or hot- `toms of the lower chutes 29, 31 and 33 in `a direction toward the v,open ends of these chutes, discharge through the discharge openings 61, 63 and 65, that is, provided the trap doors 7l are open. conveyor belt disclosed. However, there may be several of these belts so as to feed lthe coal from the dilferent'discharge openings. Most of the large pieces of, slate and` relatively large flatpieces of coal feed over the shell back`or bottom of the chute 33 and passlaterally out upon the lower aprons 71. The-relatively small and intermediate flat pieces of slate and coal similarly separate and pass out upon the lower aprons 71 carried by the chutes 29 and 31. In this way it will' be noted how the coal is separated and discharged into various fractures of coal and slate.

The invention havingle'eenset forth, what is claimed is: i:

1. In a separator, a ,mulltifple of separator units, each consisting o-fupper and lower chutes provided with means for separating the slate from the coal, unitary means for imparting opposite recip ible movements tothe chutes, means for livering to the units coal to bel separ: reciprocating means carried by the upp and operatively and respe VLvely connected theretov in order to receive reciprocating` movements, thereby preventing clogging of the slate when separated, and means intermediate the coal delivering means and the upper lchutes of the respective units, whereby the coalmay receive a second step of separation; I

2. In ay coal and slate separator, a multiple of separator units each/consisting of upper and'lower chutes provided with slate receiving aprons, the bottnm--of each chute having means for separa-ting the slate from.

There is 'only one nd lower 'chutes The particles of coal llO ' nected thereto in' order to receive reciprocating movements, thereby preventing clogging of the slate 'as it passes: onto the aprons, and means intermediate the coal delivering means and the uppjer chutes of the respective units, whereby the coal may receive a second step of separation. l

3. In a separator, a separator unit consisting of upper and lower chutes, the former having a sizing screento permit of a certain size ofcoal to pass to the upper chute which has an outlet spout to carry another ,size coal to the lower chute, unitaiy means for imparting opposite reciprocable movements to the chutes,ltlie bottoms of `which have means for separating the-slate from the coal,I aprons cariied by the chutes to receive the slate as it separates while the coal discharges from corresponding ends of the chutes, means operatively connected to and. receiving reciprocable movements from the lower chute and being operatively carried on the upper chute for preventing clogging of the slate as it, separates, and means carried by the lower chute and connected to and receiving reciprocable movements from the upper-chiite to prevent clogging of the slate as it separates from the coal in the lower chute.

'4. In ak separator, a separator unit consisting of upper andglower chutes with means 'fory delivering respectively to the chutes coal and slate to be'separated, the bottoms of the chutes provided `with diverging surfaces. forv causing 'the Aseparation of -the slate from the coal which discharges fromcorresponding ends of the chutes, the sides of the chutes having slatereceiving aprons with which the diverging surfaces connect, and means for imparting opposite reciprocable'mov'ements to the chutes. i v

5. In a separator, a separator unitconsisting of upperi and lower chutes with means for delivering respectively to the chutes coal-and slate to be separated, the 'bottoms of the chutes provided with diverging'surfaces for causing the separation of the slate from the coal which discharges from corresponding ends of the chutes. the

sides of the chutes having slate receiving aprons with which the diverging surfaces connect, means for imparting opposite reciprocable movements tothe chutes, and means operated by the chutes for preventing clogging o-f the slate during its passage to the aprons.l ,y

6. In aseparator, a. separator unit consisting of upper and lower chutes providedwith coal discharges at' corresponding ends and yincluding means for delivering'coal of dif- 60 ferent sizes to the chutes, said chutes having shell backs consisting of diverging surfaces, the sides of the chutes having slots and provided with 'lateral aprons to, receive the slate as it separates from the coal, means to impart opposite reciprocable movements to the chutes, means operatively mounted uponl the upper chute and in turn operatively connected to and receiving reciprocable movements from the lower chute' for pre- 70 venting cloggingiof the slate in the slots of the .upper chute, and means operatively mountedon the lower chute and connecting to and receiving lreciprocable movements from the upper chute for preventingy A clogging of the slate in the slots of the lower chute.

`7; In aseparator, a. separator unit consisting of upper and lower chutes provided with coal'discharges at corresponding ends 80 and including means for delivering coal of different sizes to thechutes, said chutes having shell backs consisting of diverging surlfaces, the sides of the chutes having slots and provided with lateral apronstoreceive,

the slate as it separatesd from the coal, means to impart opposite reciprocable movements to the chutes, means operatively mounted upon the upper chute and in turn operatively connected to and receiving recipro- 90 cablevmovement's from the lower chute for preventing clogging ofthe -slate in the slots of the upper chute, means operatively l mounted on the lower chute and connecting to and receiving reciprocable lmovements 4 from the upper chiite for preventing clogging of the slate in the slots of the lower chute, and means for varying the size of the slots to accommodate slate -of different thicknesses.

In testimony whereof he afXes his signature.

oHAnLns H. HUroHisoN. 

